Strangford Lough Management Scheme

PUBLIC INFORMATION BOOKLET Contents

The Strangford Lough Management Scheme 2

Agriculture & Land Management 6

Fishing, Aquaculture & Related Operations 7

Tourism & Recreation 10 1

Development 13

Operations Affecting Water Quality 15

Education & Research 15

Other Measures 16

All photography is reproduced with the kind permission of Ards Borough Council, Environment and Heritage Service, The National Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Caroline Nolan and Mike Hartwell. The Strangford Lough Management Scheme

WHAT IS THE MANAGEMENT SCHEME AND WHY IS IT NEEDED?

Strangford Lough is recognised world-wide for its remarkable wildlife and landscape. Its environment is also of immense value to the people who live and work here and who visit the Lough for recreation.

Strangford Lough is part of the Natura 2000 network of sites across Europe. It has been designated as a Special Protection Area and is a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the Birds and Habitats Directives respectively. These designations are very significant as they bring with them new statutory responsibilities for public bodies to safeguard the nature conservation interests.

The aim of these designations is to protect the internationally important features of the Lough. This does not mean that we cannot continue to use and enjoy the Lough's natural resources. The purpose of the management scheme is to highlight how current and future activities might affect the conservation features and how these activities might be managed to minimise their impact.

Specifically, the management scheme has been developed to:

Identify the conservation features that have to be protected

Set the standards to which the features should be maintained (conservation objectives)

Clarify where statutory responsibilities lie for different aspects of the Lough

Establish a programme to monitor wildlife

List the types of activities and developments likely to affect the conservation features

Identify where further information is needed and / or action is required to manage activities in consultation with local interests

Develop co-ordination between bodies

Promote better communication to the public

The full management scheme is available from the www.ehsni.gov.uk and www.strangfordlough.org websites. Copies may be viewed in local libraries and local council offices. The management scheme will be formally reviewed as required and there will be an ongoing appraisal of the associated action plan.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOUGH’S MANAGEMENT?

Conservation objectives have been identified by the Department of the Environment (DOE) and are at the core of the management scheme. Statutory authorities have a legal responsibility to ensure that these objectives are met. This primarily applies to Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and Planning Service of the DOE, Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Ards Borough Council and Down District Council.

The National Trust has an important practical role in view of its conservation and wildlife monitoring work and its extensive ownership within the Lough. The Strangford Lough Management Committee (representing local user and specialist interests), is closely involved in the management scheme in an advisory capacity and has initiated many related projects.

We all have a part to play in this scheme, especially as voluntary codes and good practice can do so much to prevent damage to our environment. For example, by keeping dogs on leads and avoiding bird nesting and feeding areas, people can enjoy the Lough without compromising its incredibly rich and varied birdlife.

STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT SCHEME The Strangford Lough Management Scheme

WHAT SPECIAL AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR PROTECTION?

The Special Area of Conservation (SAC) takes in all the sub-tidal area of the Lough and its foreshore and includes some small areas of terrestrial habitat. The Special Protection Area (SPA) covers a similar area but also includes the primarily freshwater area of the Quoile Pondage National Nature Reserve. (See map on Page 4).

Special Area of Conservation

Strangford Lough is a large shallow inlet and bay with a huge variety of habitats and species

Eelgrass, worms, shellfish and other creatures found in mudflats and sandflats are vitally important food for over-wintering birds. 3 Eelgrass beds are also nurseries for young fish

Rocky reefs provide excellent habitats for a range of marine life

Horse mussel shells on the seabed also provide a reef structure, developed over thousands of years, that is the basis for some of the Lough's richest wildlife communities

The Dorn, located in the south east of the Lough, is a sea water inlet with a rocky sill over which tides ebb and flow creating conditions that support unique wildlife

Some of the most extensive salt marsh in Northern Ireland is found in places like the Comber Estuary or around Horse Island

Extensive and unusual plant life grows at the edge of the shore, particularly in the south

Vegetation of stony banks is also of great interest

The Lough is an important pupping area for common seals

Special Protection Area

The Lough provides plentiful food for spectacular numbers of over-wintering waterfowl, especially on the northern sandflats

Three-quarters of the northern European population of pale-bellied Brent geese over-winter here

Knot and redshank appear in internationally important numbers

In summer, Sandwich, Common and Arctic terns arrive from Africa in search of nest sites and food such as sand eels The Strangford Lough Management Scheme

BANGOR BELFAST

The candidate SAC and the SPA include all the sub-tidal area of the Lough and its foreshore up to the landward boundary of the Strangford Lough (Parts 1-3), Killard NEWTOWNARDS and Ballyquintin Point ASSIs. This includes small areas of terrestrial habitat. The site is bounded accross the Narrows by a straight line from Killard Point to Ballyquintin Point. The SPA also includes the primarily freshwater area of the Quoile COMBER Pondage National Nature Reserve. GREYABBEY

KIRCUBBIN

KILLYLEAGH PORTAFERRY

STRANGFORD N

DOWNPATRICK SpecialN Area of Conservation (SAC)

Special Protection Area (SPA)

STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT SCHEME The Strangford Lough Management Scheme

HOW WILL THE LOUGH BE MONITORED?

The wildlife of Strangford Lough has been observed and studied for many years and for a variety of reasons. This management scheme focuses much of the regular and ad hoc monitoring work and has identified some new areas of study. Monitoring will determine whether the conservation objectives are being achieved.

ACTION

A joint wildlife monitoring and research programme will be agreed and implemented

Proposals to research and monitor related human activities will be considered

A shared data management system will be developed

WHAT KINDS OF THINGS MIGHT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE WILDLIFE?

The Lough and its wildlife may be affected by a variety of factors:

Changes to the tidal flows, waves, temperature, turbidity, sediments 5 Changes to the water chemistry, for example through pollution

Changes to the contaminant levels in sediments for example through dredging the shore

Physical disturbance or damage, for example through trawling or dredging the sea bed

Collecting or removal of wildlife

Noise and visual disturbance - applies mostly to birds and seals

The spread of alien species such as invasive plants

The spread of disease and genetic pollution

Changes in the food chain

HOW DOES THIS MANAGEMENT SCHEME AFFECT LOUGH USERS?

Many activities have the potential to affect wildlife adversely, but will not do so significantly if kept at appropriate and sustainable levels and in suitable locations.

Most of the actions to be taken under the management scheme involve keeping the current situation under review or working with people to develop measures such as zoning or voluntary codes of practice.

If voluntary measures prove inadequate then the need for additional measures such as byelaws will be considered. Should the introduction of new byelaws be necessary this would only follow public consultation.

PUBLIC INFORMATION BOOKLET Agriculture & Land Management

6 AGRICULTURE & LAND MANAGEMENT

Farmers and landowners have helped to Slurry or fertiliser spread on land can increase shape Strangford Lough's landscape and nutrients in watercourses running into the habitats for centuries. Sheep or cattle Lough. Herbicides and pesticides may also enter grazing can provide suitable areas for the water system through excessive use or nesting wildfowl and terns. Brent geese through inappropriate disposal. have grazed agricultural land when eelgrass is in short supply. For the most part, conservation needs on farmland are being met by sympathetic Some farming practices, however, can cause management. In some cases this is supported localised damage. Livestock on the shore may by Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) trample vegetation and saltmarsh and management agreements. Efforts will be exacerbate erosion. Ploughing shore sand to made to liaise more closely with landowners clean the plough can damage eelgrass beds to encourage them to adopt wildlife friendly and animal life in the sand. farming practices.

ACTION

A strategy will be developed to establish and resource positive environmental management, such as enhancing island vegetation for breeding birds, or managing wetlands.

ASSI legislation will be reviewed to encourage beneficial management and to ensure that EHS is able to deal with damage arising from the actions of third parties.

STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT SCHEME Fishing & Aquaculture and related operations

TRAWLING AND DREDGING

Trawling for queen scallops ("Queenies"), introduction of zoning and other regulations. trawling for Dublin Bay prawns, and These have been put in place under the dredging for king scallops contributes Inshore Fishing (Prohibiting of Fishing and significantly to the annual income of Fishing Methods) Regulations (NI) 1993 and fishermen based in the area. include measures specific to Strangford Lough.

Following studies which raised concerns A recent amendment to Fisheries legislation about the impact of fishing operations on has given the Department of Agriculture the seabed, and in particular on horse and Rural Development (DARD) powers mussel beds and their associated wildlife, to regulate fishing activity for the fishing industry agreed to the environmental purposes.

ACTION

The effects of commercial trawling and dredging on the seabed and on biodiversity within the Lough will continue to be monitored.

Information on levels of commercial fishing activity in Strangford Lough will be collated.

There will be ongoing assessment of the need to introduce appropriate fisheries conservation measures.

SHORE BASED SHELLFISH HARVESTING

Cockles, common mussels and winkles are particular) that live in the mud and sandflats. collected on a small scale, by hand or using rakes. A reduction in cockles reduces the food Small-scale collection of shellfish for home supply for birds such as oystercatchers, for consumption and some commercial which cockles are a major food source. harvesting are usually regarded as environmentally sustainable but large-scale People harvesting shellfish on the shore may harvesting could be detrimental. reduce the time birds spend feeding there and increase their energy requirements as Mechanical harvesting of cockles, for they fly to other areas. However, it should example, could cause severe physical damage be noted that harvesting in some other parts to other fauna and flora (eelgrass in of the UK is thought to be sustainable.

ACTION

The powers of DARD have recently been extended into the intertidal area so that fishing activity on the shore can be regulated. It is proposed that mechanical harvesting in the intertidal area be banned - subject to public consultation. The practice of individuals collecting by hand for their own use will be protected.

At current levels and locations, hand raking is thought to be sustainable. Any changes in this activity would need to be assessed.

Strategic recommendations in DARD's Shellfish Management Plan will be taken forward as appropriate. These may, for example, include voluntary codes.

PUBLIC INFORMATION BOOKLET Fishing & Aquaculture and related operations

POTTING & DIVING

Potting for Dublin Bay prawns, shore crabs, Divers take some king scallops for velvet swimming crabs, Buckie whelks, long home consumption and on a small-scale clawed squat lobsters, lobsters and brown commercial basis. Commercial collection 8 crabs takes place mainly in the Narrows and by divers is covered under the the periphery of the Lough. fishing regulations.

ACTION

Ways to achieve sustainability will be sought, working closely with fishermen.

Already, pot fishermen ‘ V-notch’ female lobsters carrying eggs. These marked lobsters are not fished, so helping to conserve stocks. A decrease in the catch of velvet swimming crabs has prompted fishermen to request the introduction of a voluntary code.

The Northern Ireland Federation of Sub-aqua Clubs has produced a voluntary code of practice and this will continue to be promoted.

SEAWEEED HARVESTING

Traditionally, brown seaweeds (drift wrack on which it grows, particularly in the Narrows. and kelp) have been collected and used on ASSI consent is required to exercise the the land as fertiliser. Knotted wrack was right attached to some properties to also used in glass-making. gather seaweed. Extensive collection of seaweed would be likely to have far The edible algae, dulse, is still cut from kelp, reaching effects.

ACTION

At present levels seaweed gathering is not seen as a major threat to conservation interests. This situation will be reviewed from time to time.

STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT SCHEME Fishing & Aquaculture and related operations

BAIT COLLECTION

Digging for lugworm and ragworm takes incompatible with nature conservation. It place mainly at the northern end of the Lough. may damage eelgrass beds and large numbers Small-scale bait digging by anglers for of bait diggers on the shore would be likely individual use may be insignificant in its effect to disturb waterfowl. Raking or digging for in many situations but if undertaken in burrowing invertebrates buries oxygen-rich sensitive habitats, at certain times of the year surface sediments often killing the animals or on a commercial scale, it may be they contain.

ACTION

At present levels and locations bait collection is not seen as a major problem but it will be kept under review.

AQUACULTURE AND RANCHING

Interest in cultivating oysters, mussels, clams especially birds and pupping seals and the and scallops has grown rapidly in Strangford potential for introduced species of commercial Lough in recent years. Oyster farming is shellfish and accidentally introduced species the most economically important fishery to establish in the wild. 9 in the Lough. The implications of new cultivation methods, Shellfish cultivation is generally thought to the species farmed and the sources of stock have a relatively low negative impact on the must be assessed on a continuing basis. The environment. A high standard of water quality proximity of farms to each other and stocking is required and no chemicals or antibiotics density may have impacts that will only come are used. Regulation of shellfish cultivation to light over a number of years. ensures that the risk of potentially harmful effects are kept to a minimum. These include Caged fin-fish farming is presently considered loss or modification of habitat, disruption of to be inappropriate for Strangford Lough for sediment movement, disturbing wildlife, environmental reasons.

ACTION

The individual and cumulative effects of shellfish farms on the wildlife of the Lough will be closely monitored

The need to amend legislation so that seaweed cultivation may be licensed and regulated will be considered

PUBLIC INFORMATION BOOKLET Tourism and Recreation

A growth in tourism has brought employment and prosperity to some rural areas and presents new and diverse business opportunities for local communities. The trend is towards activity and special interest holidays. Birdwatching and seal watching are growing attractions.

Strangford Lough’s environmental designations can be used to promote the Lough's wildlife and high quality environment to visitors.

INFORMAL RECREATION

Increasing pressure for public recreational Efforts to maintain beaches for recreation access to the water and the surrounding may include the removal of drift seaweed countryside has to be balanced with the need along with litter. Seaweed is an important to sustain the environment and the fabric of component of the marine ecosystem and in local communities. most instances is better left in place unless there are compelling reasons for its removal. Walkers need not cause significant problems Proposals to create or extend sandy beaches for conservation, provided they are appropriately for bathing reduce natural foreshore and can managed. They can, however, disturb bird- be counterproductive if they fail to take life and may trample vegetation. Dogs may account of the local sediment regime. disturb birds, especially on the upper shore at low tides and at nesting islands; and at certain Amenities such as promenades and car parks periods of the year this may be critical to the have to be carefully planned to meet people's bird’s feeding cycle. needs and those of the environment.

STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT SCHEME Tourism and Recreation

WATER CRAFT

Sailing and boating clubs promote the Boating may also cause noise and general sensitive use of the Lough to their members disturbance to wildlife, particularly to and are often the first to report incidents breeding or over-wintering birds. Fast of pollution or damage. However, boating powered craft including jet-skis tend to be may cause some physical disturbance to the worst in this regard. the seabed and shore, particularly at moorings and where slipways and jetties are Voluntary speed restrictions to improve built. Water quality may decrease at safety near mooring areas are in place anchorages and harbours. with speed limit marks maintained by the local councils. Water craft in general provide access to islands and bird breeding areas which would Windsurfing during the winter months may otherwise be undisturbed. conflict with wildlife in refuges.

DIVING

Strangford Lough is one of the principal areas Fisheries regulations apply to divers and the in Northern Ireland for dive training, wreck sale of the edible sea urchin is banned under exploration and marine life observation. Such the Wildlife Order. A voluntary code of activity rarely causes conflict with conservation practice has been established by the Northern 11 interests. However, the over-collection of Ireland Federation of Sub-Aqua Clubs, marine life could damage the populations of working with the Strangford Lough certain species. Management Committee.

HORSE RIDING

Firm beaches, particularly those at Newtownards, Mount Stewart and Ballyhornan, provide uninterrupted gallops for exercising horses.

Winter wildlife refuges and areas supporting eelgrass are the areas most sensitive to horse riding. Although there are few significant problems at current levels, the location and intensity of this activity need to be considered.

ANGLING

Some angling takes place and local boats may be chartered. At present levels it is not a major issue in relation to the conservation interests. However, lost or discarded tackle can pose a threat to wildlife, particularly to diving birds which can become entangled and drown. As with other kinds of water based recreation, there is the potential to disturb wildlife.

PUBLIC INFORMATION BOOKLET Tourism and Recreation

WILDFOWLING

The wildfowling clubs around Strangford by the National Trust is subject to controls wintering birds. Therefore a system of refuges Lough co-ordinate their activities through the under its Wildlife Scheme. Mallard is the has been established where wildfowling is Joint Council of Strangford Lough Wildfowling main quarry species, followed by teal. either banned or restricted to certain times Associations. Wildfowling on the foreshore of year and where efforts are being made to and on adjacent lands owned or controlled Wildfowling can cause disturbance to over- minimise other forms of disturbance.

AIRCRAFT

Newtownards Airfield lies adjacent to Strangford Lough. Light aircraft, gliders and small helicopters use the airfield, mostly for recreation. It would appear that birds generally become accustomed to the normal movements of light aircraft, though some low flying aircraft, such as microlites and helicopters, may cause disturbance to flocks of birds.

12 WILDLIFE WATCHING AND SIGHTSEEING BOAT TOURS

The opportunity to observe wildlife is one of the benefits of protecting Strangford Lough. However, some enthusiasts fail to consider either owners’ property rights or the welfare of the wildlife, which may be disturbed or damaged.

OFF-THE-ROAD VEHICLES

The use of off-the-road vehicles for recreation on the foreshore is inappropriate and will continue to be discouraged. The limited use of specialised vehicles may be acceptable for monitoring purposes.

ACTION FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM

ACTION

Proposals for further research into the interactions between recreational use of the Lough and the conservation features will be taken forward.

A strategy for managing access to the shore and the water will be developed.

Wildfowling will continue to be managed and regulated under the current system.

Legislation on the use of lead shot in environmentally sensitive wetlands will be considered.

Advice to aircraft users on how to minimise wildlife disturbance will be provided.

STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT SCHEME Development

HOUSING AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Pressure for development around the Lough treatment plants or additional septic tanks, is growing. Development close to the shore the effects of storm water drainage and the may have adverse effects on areas of saltmarsh knock on demand for improved roads and and other habitats or lead to disturbance of resulting increases in traffic. feeding and nesting birds. The cumulative effect could be significant. Indirect impacts Housing by the shore may also create future include the increased load on sewage demand for sea defences and boat slips.

COASTAL ENGINEERING

Much of the larger scale sea defences are located Coastal engineering works have affected at the northern end of the Lough. Those at a number of shallow bays, saltmarshes Newtownards have recently been repaired and and areas of tidal flat around the Lough. improved and a related environmental Causeways, boat slips and other restrictions monitoring programme established. have modified current and tidal flow patterns and, in turn, affected sediment Rock armouring has been favoured over sea transport patterns. In some cases this walls to protect roads against erosion, as it has resulted in the incidental creation of helps to dissipate wave energy with less draw- new habitat including saltmarsh, brackish down of sediment. However, it is rarely ponds and wetlands. aesthetically pleasing and tends to encroach onto the shore. Some landowners have The effect of rising sea levels and changing 13 attempted to prevent erosion by stacking shore weather patterns may create a demand for rocks and boulders along their field boundaries. additional flood defences.

BOAT SLIPS AND WATERSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

There are several examples of areas where boat slip density has had a considerable impact on the intertidal zone. New structures in an area already bounded by development have less impact than in an area outside existing development limits.

Planning permission is required for new structures and major proposals such as a marina development, where dredging may be required, would normally require an Environmental Impact Assessment.

SAND AND GRAVEL EXTRACTION

Traditional rights to remove sand, gravel and shingle from the shores are attached to the folios of some land-holdings. Formerly, these materials were extracted by shovel and horse-drawn cart. Nowadays tractors, trailers and earth-moving machinery are more likely to be used. The removal of intertidal sediments increases the risk of erosion by removing some of the wave-absorbing materials and altering the beach profile. The exercise of extraction rights is not, however, currently a major issue within Strangford Lough.

PUBLIC INFORMATION BOOKLET Development

TIPPING 14 Tipping can damage areas of shore and seeping chemicals may introduce pollutants to the Lough.

ACTION FOR DEVELOPMENT

ACTION

The Down and Ards Area Plan will take account of the Strangford Lough management scheme and relevant environmental issues to be addressed in the Plan include: The need for sustainable development; The protection of rural character through Countryside Assessment, and The need for strategic assessment of environmental impact which refers to, among other things, the SAC/SPA conservation objectives.

The extent of protection afforded by planning policy to the shoreline of Strangford Lough will be considered in the context of the Area Plan.

Work to develop a strategy for managing access to the shore and the water for land and water-based recreation will help to identify needs for additional facilities and related issues.

STRANGFORD LOUGH MANAGEMENT SCHEME Operations Affecting Water Quality

Water quality in the Lough is generally good, although there are locally significant problems.

Pollutants enter the Lough mainly from sewage out-falls, watercourses (carrying, for example, slurry, pesticides and fertiliser run-off), water craft and associated facilities (for example, cleaning chemicals) and the open sea. Agricultural run-off and chemicals seeping from fly-tipping may enter the Lough directly.

High nutrient levels can adversely affect the ecological balance. Some forms of wildlife thrive in nutrient enriched areas, but some of these, for example green algae, can smother other species. Increases in suspended organic or inorganic material reduces light levels in the water. This, along with changes in the sediments, may be affecting the growth of eelgrass.

The potential exists for any spillage from shipping in the Irish Sea to enter the Lough system.

Contaminants entering the Lough are being monitored and, where levels are likely to have adverse effects, additional treatment and controls will be considered.

ACTION

Water quality monitoring programmes will be reviewed to ensure compliance with the conservation objectives

Pollution incident plans for Strangford Lough will be strengthened

Plans will be put in place to maintain water quality in areas designated under the Shellfish Waters Directive

The effect on water quality of all future development proposals will be considered and Environmental Impact Assessment 15 (EIA) undertaken if required

Beach clean-ups and national campaigns regarding marine litter will be promoted

Education & Research

Strangford Lough is a natural laboratory for In general these activities have little lasting marine biological and oceanographic impact on the Lough’s ecology. There is, research. It is also much used as an outdoor however, a risk of disturbance and damage classroom and for field studies at all levels from overuse of sensitive areas and local of education. depletion of species at favourite collection sites.

ACTION

Codes of practice will be improved and promoted to educational parties using the Lough.

The setting up of a register to record how sites are being used for education will be explored.

PUBLIC INFORMATION BOOKLET Other Measures

The management scheme addresses some of the recommendations set out in the Strangford Lough Sustainable Development Strategy. It acknowledges issues likely to arise from the Shaping our Future Strategic Development Framework for Northern Ireland and the Down and Ards Area Plan.

The management scheme complements existing management plans for Areas of Special Scientific Interest, the Marine Nature Reserve, National Nature Reserves and the National Trust’s Strangford Lough Wildlife Scheme. It also takes into account the complex system of rights and responsibilities on and around the Lough arising from the system of ownership, jurisdiction and common law.

PLANS & PROJECTS Certain public bodies, known as competent authorities, have specific statutory functions to determine applications for consents, licences and permissions. For Natura 2000 sites these are known as “plans and projects.” If the effect of a plan or project is likely to be significant then an appropriate assessment is required. The advice of EHS must be taken into account during this process.

Competent authorities must also review, subject to certain limitations, any existing consents, licences or permissions that are likely to have a significant effect on the site.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

16 On-site conservation management on Strangford Lough is mostly carried out by EHS at its nature reserves and by the National Trust. The Trust manages over 6,000 hectares of foreshore and seabed as well as some 50 islands. Conservation work includes cutting unwanted vegetation, controlling pests and predators and limiting disturbance. There is also input from local councils, voluntary organisations and individual volunteers. Many bodies promote and organise litter clean-ups.

Introduced species can invade natural habitats and dramatically affect their communities. EHS, Ards Borough Council and the National Trust will continue to control the spread of cord grass, Spartina, by spraying with herbicide and using other suitable methods. EHS will also continue to monitor the spread of the invasive seaweed, Sargassum, in the Lough.

Surveys of overwintering birds and summer counts of nesting waterfowl and seabirds on islands are carried out annually by a consortium including EHS, the National Trust, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

DARD regulates the fishery, monitors its impact on the environment and carries out related seabed surveys.

WARDENING Wardens carry out on-site conservation work and have an important role in communicating with Lough users and landowners. They also help monitor and manage activities. There is strong support for developing a collaborative wardening partnership for the Lough.

COMMUNICATION The Strangford Lough Information Network was initiated by SLMC and will continue to be supported under the management scheme. The Network's activities include: a booklet on places to enjoy the Lough's shores and its wildlife; posters for schools; the Strangford Lough website, and on-site interpretation signs with information and guidelines. Produced by Environment and Heritage Service in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ards Borough Council and Down District Council with the support of the Strangford Lough Office.

Acknowledgements

Environment and Heritage Service extends thanks to all those who have contributed to the Scheme, in particular the Strangford Lough Management Committee and the National Trust.

For further information contact Environment and Heritage Service, Commonwealth House, 35 Castle Street, Belfast BT1 1GU or the Strangford Lough Office, 13 The Strand, Portaferry BT22 1PF.

This document was produced with the support of the European Community’s LIFE Nature Programme